Decorative railing assembly

ABSTRACT

A railing assembly comprising at least one infill assembly formed from a top member, a bottom member and a barrier member extending between the top and bottom members. At least one post member is included having an upper support to engage the top member and a lower support to engage the bottom member. At least one of the upper support and the lower support is lockably engagable with the top member and the bottom member, respectively, to retain the at least one infill assembly on the at least one post. The assembly may also include a top rail adapted to lockably engage with the top member. The railing assembly provides a quickly constructed unit that does not require any fasteners to connect together the assembly components while still providing a rattle-free construction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to railing system useful for forming a barrier, fencing or the like. In particular, the invention relates to a railing system in which the post and infill assembly components are readily interconnectable to each other without the need for fasteners.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Railings formed using an infill assembly supported by upstanding posts are commonly used on stairs, balconies and patios as a safety barrier with a pleasing appearance. The railing components may be formed of materials such as vinyl, composite material, or aluminum. Aluminum is generally a preferred material. Since it is easy to extrude and form and is lightweight yet sturdy and enjoys excellent weather resistance.

The fencing or balustrade is typically formed as a railing system that includes a top railing secured to pickets that extend vertically downwardly from the top rail and which are spaced at desired intervals. The pickets may extend into a wooden or concrete base or the like, or, more usually are also attached to a bottom rail which, in turn, is mounted to the stairs or balcony for which the railing system acts as a barrier.

Examples of prior art railing systems include U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,005 to Zen and U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,240 to Baker.

Construction of railings from preformed components can be a labour intensive job, particularly as conventional railing system use components that are designed to be fastened together using fasteners, welding or other fastening schemes that require a careful attention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a railing assembly that avoids the use of fasteners or welding to connect together preformed parts. Instead, the present invention relies on components being snap-fitted together which greatly reduces construction time and costs.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a railing assembly comprising:

at least one infill assembly, each infill assembly comprising a top member, a bottom member and a barrier member extending between the top and bottom members;

at least one post member having an upper support to engage the top member and a lower support to engage the bottom member, at least one of the upper support and the lower support being lockably engagable with the top member and the bottom member, respectively, to retain the at least one infill assembly on the at least one post.

In a preferred arrangement, there is included a top rail adapted to lockably engage with the top member.

The present railing assembly provides a quickly constructed unit that is still strong, reliable and visually appealing. No fasteners are required to connect together the assembly components, yet a sturdy rattle-free construction is still achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present invention are illustrated, merely by way of example, in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a railing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 1A is a detailed view of an alternative infill assembly;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a partially assembled railing assembly;

FIG. 2A is a schematic top view of a corner post member;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a completed railing assembly;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a post member; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectioned view of the structure of the assembled railing taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 showing lockable interconnections between components of the railing assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded view of the components of an exemplary railing assembling 2 according to a preferred embodiment. In FIG. 1, the railing assembly comprises an infill assembly 4 and a post member 6. The infill assembly comprises a top member 10, a bottom member 12 and a barrier member 14 extending between the top and bottom members to define a barricade against movement of people or objects past the railing. The components of the present railing system can be formed from various materials such as aluminium, plastic, composite material or other materials from which conventional modular railing systems are formed. For example, top and bottom members 10 and 12, respectively, may be extruded aluminium formed into U-shaped channels of a desired length. In the interest of making modular infill assemblies 4, each assembly may be formed in standard lengths of 10 feet or 20 feet, however, assemblies having dimensions in the range of 2 feet to 24 are possible.

The barrier member preferably comprises a plurality of barrier members arranged in spaced, generally parallel relationship between the top and bottom members. In the illustrated embodiment, the barrier members comprise a plurality of pickets 16 extending between top member 10 and bottom member 12. Each of the top and bottom members are formed with openings 18 corresponding generally to the cross-sectional shape of the pickets 16 such that the pickets are insertable through the openings for connection between the members. In the illustrated example, pickets 16 are of rectangular cross-section and opposite ends of each picket are received in a pair of rectangular holes 18, but it will be apparent to the skilled person that other cross-sectional shapes or lengthwise configurations of the pickets are possible. In the case of aluminum or plastic components, the pickets can be joined to the top and bottom members by appropriate welding at openings 18 within the interior of the U-shaped members so that a clean, external appearance of the finished infill assembly 4 is achieved.

Other barrier members are possible. For example, instead of the pickets of FIG. 1, the barrier members may comprise one or more glass partition 20 extending between top and bottom members 10 and 12 with top and bottom ends retained in suitable mounting brackets as shown in FIG. 1A.

Each infill assembly 4 is supportable by at least one post member 6 having an upper support 25 to engage the top member 10 and a lower support 26 to engage the bottom member 12. At least one of the upper support and the lower support is lockably engagable with the top member and the bottom member, respectively, to retain the infill assembly 4 on the post 6 without the need for fasteners.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show generally the manner in which an infill assembly 4 (with pickets 16) is mounted to and supported by a post 6. Post 6 includes a mounting structure 33 adjacent its lower end for anchoring of the post to a surface. In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3, mounting structure 33 is a plate with bolt holes 34 extending therethrough for attachment to a generally horizontal surface. Other known mounting structures are possible to permit attachment to, for example, a generally vertical surface.

To accommodate post 6, bottom member 12 is cut to form an interruption or gap 29 in the length of the member to define discontinuous portions 12 a and 12 b. Gap 29 may be formed when the infill assembly is initially manufactured or the gap may be cut at the assembly site for the railing. Gap 29 is formed between an adjacent pair of barrier members to maintain structural integrity of the infill assembly 4. Post 6 must also be dimensioned to fit between adjacent pairs of barrier members and into gap 29.

Gap 29 is aligned with anchored post 6 and the post is introduced into the gap such that the discontinuous portions 12 a and 12 b of bottom member 12 are positioned on opposite sides of the post and brought into engagement with lower support 26 of the post. At the same time, the lower surface 35 of top member 10 engages with upper support 25. As will be described in more detail below, the upper support 25 and top member 10 or the lower support 26 and the bottom member 12 or both may be lockably engaged with each other to secure the infill assembly to the post.

In a preferred arrangement, a top rail 28 may be provided which is adapted to lockably engage with top member 10 to finish the appearance of the railing assembly. Top rail 28 will preferably be formed from the same material as the other components of the railing assembly to which the top rail is mounted.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary constructed railing assembly with top rail 28 in place. Note that the railing assembly of FIG. 3 differs from that shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows two posts connected to a longer infill assembly, while FIG. 2 shows a single post about to be connected to a shorter infill assembly. As shown in FIG. 3, each post 6 requires its own gap 29 in the bottom member 12, and each post has its own lower support 26 and upper support 25 for interconnecting the posts and the infill assembly. The lower supports 26 are shown by dashed lines in FIG. 3 as they are concealed within the interior of bottom member 12 in the constructed railing assembly. Similarly, upper supports 25 and top member 10 are shown by dashed lines as they are concealed within the interior of top rail 28.

Each railing assembly 2 can be manufactured to the appropriate length with the top member 10 being a single, continuous element, and the bottom member 12 being engaged with and supported by posts 6 at regular intervals. Alternatively, in the event that railing assemblies of pre-determined, standard lengths are used which are too short to span a particular gap, two adjacent railing assemblies can be joined together in a known manner using connectors (not shown) that engage within the interiors of abutting top members and abutting bottom members.

While posts 6 have been depicted and described above as having a generally rectangular cross-section, it will be appreciated that other shapes are possible.

FIG. 2A shows a schematic top view of an alternative upper support 25 adapted to be used on a post 6 positioned at a corner where a pair of infill assemblies meet. In this case, the corner is a right angle, and upper support 25 includes two portions 25 a and 25 b, each adapted to support an end of an infill assembly. The top member 10 and the top rail of each infill assembly are cut at complementary angles for a smooth join at the corner.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown details of the locking system that allows the posts, infill assembly and top rails of the illustrated embodiments to be joined together without the use of fasteners.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, upper support 25 of post member 6 preferably comprises a flat plate 27. Referring to FIG. 5, when a railing assembly is constructed, top member 10 rests atop plate 27 such that the bottom surface 35 of the top member is supported. Plate 27 is generally rectangular and is fixedly mounted to the upper end of post 6. Plate 27 includes an upper channel 30 defined by a pair of upstanding flanges 32 to engage the lower outer edges 11 of top member 10 to prevent lateral movement of the top member on the plate along axis X as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. At the same time, locking engagement of the infill assembly 4 with either upper support 25, lower support 26 or both prevents vertical movement of the infill assembly along axis Y as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. Still further, as best shown in FIG. 2, plate 27 is dimensioned to span the distance 40 between adjacent pairs of pickets 16 thereby preventing movement of top member 10 with respect to the post 6 along axis Z. The result is that installation of the infill assembly 4 onto a post 6 provides a secure, rigid interconnection of the components without play that can be achieved by pressing together components thereby avoiding the need for fasteners between components.

In a preferred locking arrangement, lower support 26 of post 6 comprises a support portion 50 protruding from at least one side of the post to engage with the bottom member 12. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 or 4, two support portions 50, each one extending from an opposite side of the post, are provide to accommodate interrupted portions 12 a and 12 b of an infill assembly which extends by the post in a linear configuration. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, which shows a corner post 6, support portions 50 extend from adjacent sides of the post to engage with a pair of infill assemblies extending from the corner post at an angle to each other.

As best shown in FIG. 5, which is a cross-section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3, each support portion 50 is lockably engagable with the bottom member 12 by a locking system comprising pairs of inter-engagable locking flanges 52,54 on the bottom member and the support portion. A first pair of flanges 52 are formed on opposite sides of inner surfaces 56 of bottom member 12 which has a cross-section of an inverted generally U-shaped configuration. A second pair of flanges 54 are formed on opposite sides of support portion 50. Bottom member 12 fits over support portion 50 for interlocking engagement between the first and second pairs of flanges.

An interlocking connection between bottom member 12 and lower support 26 is sufficient to reliably and rigidly join together the components of the railing assembly by restraining motion in the vertical direction (y axis). Top member 10 in channel 30 on plate 27 serves to prevent lateral motion (x axis) and plate 27 between pickets 16 serves to limit transverse motion (z axis) as best shown in FIG. 1. However, to provide redundancy and additional locking strength, a second locking system between top member 10 and plate 27 may be provided. Referring again to FIG. 5, plate 27 may be lockably engagable with the top member 10 by a locking system comprising pairs of inter-engagable locking flanges 32,58 on the top member and the upper support. The lower outer edges 11 of top rail 10 are preferrably formed with flanges 58 adapted to engage with flanges 32 defining the walls of channel 30 to lock together the top rail and the plate. Once again, this locking system alone is sufficient to reliably interconnect the post and the infill assembly by preventing motion in the vertical direction. Lateral and transverse motion in the x and z axis directions are constrained as described above. Including both an upper support locking system and a lower support locking system is also possible for added strength of the interconnection between post and infill assembly.

To finish the appearance of the railing assembly, top rail 28 may be lockably engaged with the top member 10 by a third locking system comprising pairs of inter-engagable flanges 62,64 on the top member and the top rail, respectively. As best shown in FIG. 5, a pair of flanges 64 are formed on opposite sides of inner surfaces 66 of the top rail and a pair of corresponding flanges 62 are formed on opposite sides of the outer surfaces 68 of the top member. The top rail 28 is shaped and dimensioned to fit over and enclose top member 10 with interlocking engagement of rail flanges 64 below top member flanges 62.

As an alternative arrangement, top rail 28 may be lockably engaged directly with plate 27 via flanges 70,72 on the top rail and the plate, respectively. This locking system sandwiches the top member top 10 between the top rail 28 and the plate 27. It suffers from the disadvantage that the interconnection between top rail and plate occurs only at the posts whereas the system that relies on top rail 28 interlocking with top member 10 extends along the entire length of the infill assembly. As such, the locking system between top rail and plate 27 is best used in addition to the locking system between top rail and top member rather than as a substitute for the latter locking arrangement.

It will be appreciated that the locking systems described and illustrated above are only examples of preferred arrangements. It is contemplated that alternative locking systems relying on different arrangements of interlocking flanges are possible. The common factor between the various locking systems of the present railing system is that all rely on a press fit between parts to reached their interlocked state without the need for fasteners. By avoiding the need for fasteners, assembly of the railing system tends to be faster with less manual labour required.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practised within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A railing assembly comprising: at least one infill assembly, each infill assembly comprising a top member, a bottom member and a barrier member extending between the top and bottom members; at least one post member having an upper support to engage the top member and a lower support to engage the bottom member, at least one of the upper support and the lower support being lockably engagable with the top member and the bottom member, respectively, to retain the at least one infill assembly on the at least one post.
 2. The railing assembly of claim 1 including a top rail adapted to lockably engage with one of the top member, the upper support and both the top member and the upper support.
 3. The railing assembly of claim 1 wherein the upper support is a plate and the top member rests atop the plate.
 4. The railing assembly of claim 3 in which the plate is generally rectangular and includes a channel to receive the top member.
 5. The railing assembly of claim 3 in which the plate is formed from two portions extending from the post at an angle to each other to define a corner post for accommodating a pair of infill assemblies extending from the corner post at an angle to each other.
 6. The railing assembly of claim 3 in which the barrier member comprises a plurality of barrier members arranged in spaced, parallel relationship between the top and bottom members, and the at least one post is dimensioned to fit between an adjacent pair of said plurality of barrier members.
 7. The railing assembly of claim 6 in which the plate is dimensioned to span the distance between the adjacent pair of said plurality of barrier members to restrict movement of the top member with respect to the post.
 8. The railing assembly of claim 1 in which the bottom member is interrupted along a length to define discontinuous portions of the bottom member separated by at least one opening to accommodate the at least one post.
 9. The railing assembly of claim 8 in which the lower support of the at least one post comprises at least one support portion protruding from at least one side of the post to engage with one of the discontinuous portions of the bottom member.
 10. The railing assembly of claim 9 in which the at least one support portion comprises two support portions with each support portion extending from opposite sides of the post to accommodate a straight section of infill assembly.
 11. The railing assembly of claim 9 in which the at least one support portion comprises two support portions with each support portion extending from adjacent sides of the post to define a corner post between a pair of infill assemblies for accommodating a pair of infill assemblies extending from the corner post at an angle to each other.
 12. The railing assembly of claim 1 in which the lower support is lockably engagable with the bottom member by a locking system comprising pairs of inter-engagable locking flanges on the bottom member and the lower support.
 13. The railing assembly of claim 12 in which a first pair of flanges are formed on opposite sides of inner surfaces of the bottom member and a second pair of flanges are formed on opposite sides of the lower support such that the bottom member fits over the lower support for interlocking engagement between the first and second pairs of flanges.
 14. The railing assembly of claim 1 in which the upper support is lockably engagable with the top member by a locking system comprising pairs of inter-engagable locking flanges on the top member and the upper support.
 15. The railing assembly of claim 2 in which the top rail is lockably engagable with one of the top member and the upper place by a locking system comprising pairs of inter-engagable flanges on the top rail, the top member and the upper support.
 16. The railing assembly of claim 15 in which a first pair of flanges are formed on opposite sides of inner surfaces of the top rail and a second pair of flanges are formed on opposite sides of the top member such that the top rail fits over top member for interlocking engagement between the first and second pairs of flanges.
 17. The railing assembly of claim 1 in which the infill assembly, and the post member, are formed from one of aluminium, plastic, and composite material.
 18. The railing assembly of 2 in which the infill assembly, the post member, and the top rail are formed from one of aluminium, plastic, and composite material.
 19. The railing assembly of claim 1 in which the at least one post includes a mounting structure for attachment of the at least one post to a surface.
 20. The railing assembly of claim 1 in which the infill assembly comprises a plurality of pickets extending between top and bottom members.
 21. The railing assembly of claim 20 in which the top and bottom members are formed with openings to receive ends of the plurality of pickets, the ends being welded to the members to form the infill assembly.
 22. The railing assembly of claim 1 in which the infill assembly comprises at least one glass partition extending between top and bottom members.
 23. A railing assembly comprising: at least one infill assembly, each infill assembly comprising a top member, a bottom member and a barrier member extending between the top and bottom members; at least one post member having an upper support to engage the top member and a lower support to engage the bottom member, at least one of the upper support and the lower support being lockably engagable with the top member and the bottom member, respectively, to retain the at least one infill assembly on the at least one post; and a top rail adapted to lockably engage with the top member.
 24. The railing assembly of 23 in which the infill assembly, the post member, and the top rail are formed from one of aluminium, plastic, and composite material. 